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. 2023 Jan 7;28(1):13.
doi: 10.1186/s40001-022-00971-x.

The impact of partial and complete lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic on acute surgical services: a retrospective cohort study

Abdel Rahman A Al Manasra  1 , Nadeem B Alabdallah  2 , Zaid Mesmar  3 , Sami A Almasarweh  4 , Mohammad Nofal  3 , Osama Shattarah  3 , Qusai Aljarrah  3 , Khalid S Ibrahim  3 , Doaa Al-Qaoud  5
Affiliations

The impact of partial and complete lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic on acute surgical services: a retrospective cohort study

Abdel Rahman A Al Manasra et al. Eur J Med Res. .

Abstract

Purpose: The burden of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the healthcare sector has been overwhelming, leading to drastic changes in access to healthcare for the public. We aimed to establish the impact of implemented government partial and complete lockdown policies on the volume of surgical patient admissions at a tertiary referral center during the pandemic.

Methods: A database was retrospectively created from records of patients admitted to the surgical ward through the emergency department. Three 6-week periods were examined: The complete lockdown period (CLP), which included a ban on the use of cars with the exception of health service providers and essential sector workers; A pre-COVID period (PCP) 1 year earlier (no lockdown); and a partial lockdown period (PLP) that involved a comprehensive curfew and implementing social distancing regulations and wear of personal protective equipment (e.g., masks) in public places.

Results: The number of patients admitted to the surgery ward was significantly higher in the PCP cohort compared to the CLP and PLP cohorts (p = 0.009), with a 42.1% and 37% decline in patients' admissions, respectively. Admission rates for patients with biliary pathologies and vascular thrombotic events increased. 30-day mortality rates did not differ significantly between the three periods (p = 0.378).

Conclusions: While COVID-19 lockdown regulations had a significant impact on patient admission rates, surgical outcomes were not affected and the standards of care were maintained. Future protocols should strive to improve access to healthcare to avoid complications caused by delayed diagnosis and treatment.

Keywords: COVID-19; Healthcare; Surgery; Surgical outcomes.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Case volume of admissions during each period
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Types of interventions done during each period
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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